Mexico Pulls An “Eliot Ness”; Throws Out Border Guards For Army Troops!

I can’t tell if THIS Article means that the Mexican Government is getting serious about smuggling; or that it’s all going to hell in a handbasket:

Mexico’s Army took control of customs Sunday on the busy US border, as federal authorities pulled agents off the job in a massive anti-corruption shakeup, officials told AFP.

An Interior Ministry official said the dismissals were being carried out at all Mexican border facilities, and that the customs agents were being replaced.

Customs agents were sacked after some were found to be linked to contraband operations, according to sources at the ministry.Agents in Nuevo Laredo, on the border with the southern US state of Texas, were called in Saturday to be told they were fired, and to hand in their badges and weapons.

Badges? They don’t need no Steeekin’ Badges! (I’m sorry; it was too good not to comment.)

A total of 1,100 agents were sacked, Mexican media said.Army troops took over customs border posts temporarily on Sunday. During a visit to Mexico last week, US President Barack Obama praised President Felipe Calderon for his controversial military crackdown on the country’s drug gangs, which involves more than 36,000 troops.

I felt really good about this aticle right up until the point (alleged) President Obama “praised” President Calderon. That’s pretty much his kiss of death. I feel a sea change coming; I just can’t tell which way the tide’s ebbing.